But that’s not why he decided to exchange Butler blue for crimson and cream. It was, he said, something he felt in his heart and his gut.

“I had to trust myself and bet on myself,” Brunk told IndyStar on Wednesday.

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Former Butler big man Joey Brunk will transfer to IU and have two years of eligibility remaining.(Photo: Leah Klafczynski/for IndyStar)

The 6-11 center posted on social media Tuesday that he was transferring to Indiana, where he has two seasons of eligibility left. He was an IndyStar Mr. Basketball finalist at Southport High School in 2016.

Brunk announced March 27 he was leaving Butler. He said it was a “tough decision” because of relationships made at the university.

He said he would not walk in graduation ceremonies May 11 at Hinkle Fieldhouse but would attend a College of Education event the night before.

He said the transfer had “nothing to do” with dissatisfaction with Butler’s program, coaches or season. The Bulldogs finished 16-17, their second losing record in 14 years. Brunk started 13 Big East games but saw his playing time diminish late in the season.

If a couple of bounces had gone differently, he said, Butler might have made the NCAA tournament. That chapter “is closed,” he added.

“I had a lot of fun playing this year,” Brunk said. “I had flashes where I showed what I can do. That showed who I am. I love the opportunity that I had this year.”

Brunk is joining a frontcourt featuring senior-to-be De’Ron Davis and incoming freshman Trayce Jackson-Davis, a McDonald’s All American from Center Grove. Brunk said he has been working out against Jackson-Davis because both have the same personal trainer, Jason Smeathers.

Brunk said his offseason goals are to improve strength, mobility and jump shot.

He said Ohio State coach Chris Holtmann, who recruited him to Butler, contacted him to offer advice and counsel, rather than to re-recruit him.

“Which I appreciate,” Brunk said.

He lost his father, Joe, to cancer two years ago and is close to his younger brother, Johnny, a Roncalli basketball player, and mother, Helen. But Joey said staying close to home was not an overriding consideration in choosing IU.

Contact IndyStar reporter David Woods at david.woods@indystar.com or call 317-444-6195. Follow him on Twitter: @DavidWoods.